Obituary of John Richard Rogers

John Richard "Jack" Rogers, age 68 of Thurston Hollow, Tunkhannock, stepped quickly and unexpectedly into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Tuesday, January 5, 2016. He was born on March 26, 1947 and was the son of Audrey Shupp Rogers of Vernon and the late Robert Rogers. Jack grew up on the family farm in Vernon and never lost his love for farming. He graduated from Tunkhannock High School in 1965 and joined the US Army where he proudly served in Vietnam. It wasn't until recent years that he would reveal bits and pieces of his war experiences. He refused to watch violence on TV or movies saying, "If people lived through that in reality, they would never watch it for entertainment." After his discharge from the military, he began his career at Proctor and Gamble, Mehoopany, until taking an early retirement and going back to his first love of farming. Jack was a born again Christian and was always concerned for the salvation of others. He also hosted many missionaries and evangelists in his home who came to preach at his beloved Vernon Baptist Church. Jack had a love and concern for everyone in his life that they too would accept Jesus as their personal Savior. The only comfort found in Jack's swift and unexpected passing is that while we mourn here, there is no doubt that he is happy in Heaven right now. Jack was also an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He shared with his children and other young people his knowledge and joy of hunting. Jack loved being in the woods, looking for signs of turkey and buck. Jack just enjoyed the beauty and wonder of God's creation. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by brother, Donald Rogers, sister-in-law, Donna Rogers, and nephew, David Rogers. Jack was completely devoted to his family and loved all of them with his whole heart. He was proud of his 4 children and beyond proud of his 8 grandchildren. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife of 26 years, the former Bonnie Patton; children, Michelle Rogers Forker and her husband William,IV of Cornwall, Matthew Rogers and his wife Kara of Lititz, Randi Malkemes Rinehimer and husband Gary of Nescopeck, Thomas Malkemes and his wife Mandy of Wyoming; brothers, Lee Rogers and his wife Joan of Vernon, Carl Rogers and his wife Kathi of East Barre, VT, and Alan Rogers and his wife Diana of Marcellus, NY; sisters, Kay Love and her husband Richard of Dallas, Audrey Abramson and her husband Phil of Quakertown, and Ruthann Rogers of Vernon; Ex-wife and friend, Patricia Dominick of Lititz; grandchildren, Erin and Alie Forker, Kate and Sam Rogers, Anna and Faith Rinehimer, and Nadia and Nora Malkemes, plus one on the way who will only get to hear stories of "Grandpa Jack"; mother-in-law, Helen Patton of Noxen; brothers-in-law, Thomas, Gary, and Steven Patton, all of Noxen; he also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Jack will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 9, 2016 at 11:00 am from the Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home, Inc., corner of routes 29 and 118, Pikes Creek, with Pastor Glen Spencer, Jr. of the Vernon Baptist Church, officiating. Friends may call 6:00 - 8:00 PM on Friday at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Chapel Lawn Memorial Park, Dallas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to be made to the Vernon Baptist Church (mission or building fund) 1530 Demunds Rd, Dallas, PA 18612, or St. Jude's Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105.